"We are sorry to disturb you but we want to do the ritual now than your
marriage so you can consume it tonight."
"You mean this blood ritual you spoke about" Akitos voice was a bit hoarse.
"Yes. Everybody has to be in a circle around you and Kyou."
Like instructed everybody moved into position. Even the excluded people reacted because they wanted to get rid of the curse. Although they didn't know whether Kyou would free them or not.
"Now Akito you stand here and Kyou you stand opposite to him. You have to face each other."
Now that there was a bit room between them they could cool down a bit. But not much because they could look into each others eyes and see the joy and desire there.
In a few minutes Kyou would fully belong to the family he always wanted to belong to. And after that he would marry Akito. He was a bit nervous because they love each other but don't know much about the other.
Akito had the same thoughts. What will happen if Kyou discovers that he doesn't like me?
Suddenly there were voices in their heads and they turned so they were facing the gods.
*You needn't fear, little ones!*
*The two of you belong together!*
*It was destined to be this way since your souls came into being*
*We are just here to right what had been done wrong by others*
*And we can guarantee you that you love will deepen*
*But Kyou, you have to remember that this will change you*
*You will never transform into a cat or the form you consider monster again but your human body will compensate for that*
"Can you tell me how it will change me?" Kyou asked out loud.
The others were surprised that there seemed to be a silent conversation.
But Kyou's question worried them.
"Kyou? You will change? Are you sure that you want to do that?" asked Hatori.
"You know that you don't have to do that, right?" said Haru.
"I know but I think this is necessary for something. It feels right and no matter how I look after that... I know that you guys love me!" Kyou ended emotionally. The worry the others showed had calmed him somewhat, but the answer from the gods was without meaning.
*You will see*
They had only said these three words.
But he somehow trusted them.
"Now face each other and then hold this dagger" hands Akito the dagger "to your palms and cut each one just so much that it bleeds. Than you hand the dagger to Kyou. Kyou, you do the same and than you clasp your hands together right to left hand. Akito than you say the first that comes to your mind than it is your time Kyou. Now the really important part. You need to hold onto each other during and after that because the curse will try to remain. Than the transformation will take place and Kyou needs your strength, Akito."
"But I am weak!"
"Now, yes! But after the curse leaves you, you will be as strong as any other young man with the extra energy the curse took from you over the years."
"Begin!"
Akito took a deep breath and cut into his hands. As he hands the dagger over to Kyou, his soon-to-be-lover strokes his hand tenderly. Then he repeats the process.
As they clasp their hands together Akito can feel word begin to form inside his head and speaks them out loud.
"Welcome home, cat. We missed you in the family, Kyou."
Kyou also felt the urge to say something.
"It is good to be home and I forgive you all."
Then there was suddenly something beside them, pulling them away from each other.
But with every minute they held together Akito felt stronger.
Than it was over and a sudden silence filled the air.
But Akito held tightly onto Kyou.
And that was good, because the next second there was unbearable pain as Kyou went down onto his knees and groaned. Akito sank down with him. He didn't release his hold on Kyou's hands but pulled him to himself to be as close as possible.
Kyou felt the pain take hold of his body. Then all he could feel was Akito. He smelled him and could taste him in the air. Kyou was so aware of Akito like never before of anything.
Then it was over.
Mist settled over the member of the family and in front of them appeared the respective animal.
They were just shadows and vanished as the mist began to lift again.
All was silent.
Apart from Kyou. He lay in Akito arms and panted.
Akito looked down and saw the one he loved. Seemingly unchanged.
Kyou looked up and saw Akito looking down at him.
‚Have I changed?'
The answer came from the gods.
*Not as far as you can see but underneath your clothes you are a hermaphrodite*
Kyou was shocked.
He was part girl now?
"But why?"
He asked out loud.
"Because you are destined to continue the honorable site of the family."
Kyou hadn't thought about it this way. He had been prepared to look like a
monster, but this...
Just now it came to his mind what this meant.
He would have to bear children!
He loved children, but he was a boy!
But the thought of Akito calmed him down a bit.
He knew that Akito loved children.
They would have to talk about it later.
Kyou became aware of the stare on him and decided that he should tell his family about it.
Otherwise they would worry.
tbc